Mel Kiper defends Rome Odunze to New York Giants over Malik Nabers

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN defended one of his more surprising predictions for the 2024 NFL Draft, when he predicted the New York Giants would select Rome Odunze over Malik Nabers at No. 6.

Many believe Nabers is the WR2 in the 2024 NFL Draft, following Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State. However, Kiper isn’t aboard that train of thought, as he explained why Odunze would be his pick if the Giants have to choose between the two come April.

“The Giants, think about that, I think wide receiver has to be that pick. We’ll get to the team that kind of Cincinnati Bengals debate. The Giants have to take either Nabers or Odunze. I could have given either one to the Giants. I gave Odunze to the Giants because like him a little better,” Kiper said, via his mock draft special. “I know you like Nabers a little bit better.

“I polled my friends in the league, they were 50/50, down the middle. Neighbors, Odunze. ‘Who do you think the best receivers after Marvin [Harrison Jr.]? Odunze, Nabers. I went back and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll settle this. I’ll go Odunze.’ Whoever you drop, your drop — I could have given to Tennessee.”

Regardless, Kiper believes the Giants would make out like bandits either way with both wide receivers, as they can’t go wrong with either Odunze or Nabers. The Washington wide receiver is simply Kiper’s preference.

“Rome Odunze, every week, was uncoverable, and it didn’t matter,” Kiper added. “Utah game, [he had] three catches, right? But he had a couple of touchdowns. Every other game, five catches or more. They would have that national title game if Michael Penix Jr. had been on target more to Rome Odunze.

“The Giants have to take one of those two receivers. Whether it’s Nabers or Odunze; you really can’t lose here.”

On the other hand, Kiper’s colleague Field Yates is a big-time believer in Nabers, and he refuted Kiper’s choice of Odunze over the former LSU star.

“You both got the right position but, once again, the wrong player. Let’s talk about Malik Nabers here for a second… I don’t think the gap between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers for the very top wide receiver in this class is that wide,” said Yates. “Nabers is nipping on the heels of Marvin Harrison Jr. because he is the most explosive player in this entire class. I don’t know how fast this forty time is. It might be about a 4.28 – 4.32. That’s what kind of speed you see from Nabers, who, by the way, broke 27 tackles this past season.

“He breaks ankles left and right… and the way that he can stretch the field vertically, whether it’s from the slot, whether it’s out there on the perimeter totally changes the dimensions of this Giants passing game. I love Rome Odunze. He is an absolute star; one of the top six players on my board as well. But Malik Nabers is too good to resist at the six spot.”

Alas, the Giants can’t really go wrong with bringing Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers to New York, if they have the choice between the two. We’ll see how the draft shakes out for New York next month.